KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals can play an important role and are well-placed to provide the right advice and help to all sectors during this COVID-19 outbreak, said Alliance For Safe Community chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said they could also play important roles to help the government, companies, and organisations to protect lives, manage OSH issues to ensure business continuity and sustainability.
“This can be done as they have the expertise to work with the government and the private sector to deal with this unprecedented public health threat,” he said in a statement here, today.
Lee said OSH professionals have the knowledge to provide the right type of advice to meet the specific challenges, including the ability to coordinate with other leading agencies.
Given the possibility that it is unclear how long this threat will last, Lee said they could also advice on identifying solutions and designing safety features in workplaces, planning for post-pandemic safety measures, establishing adequate staffing levels, training, and personal protective equipment as well as promoting Mental Health literature.
“They can provide appropriate return-to-work procedures, ascertaining non-essential and essential activities, and help with income support and employment protection for those affected,” he said.
He said the OSH professionals also have the ability to guide and assist employers to protect all their employees and pay special attention to those workers most at-risk from COVID-19, due to factors such as health status, age, or their exposure to the virus.
“It is essential to protect workers’ physical and mental health, prevent exposure to COVID-19 and to ensure access to the best treatment for workers who become infected, and support those who are quarantined,” he said.
–BERNAMA